The Program

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You'll laugh, you'll dine, you'll help keep Atlantic Canada's largest LGBTQ cultural celebration accessible.

Hosted by the multi-talented Mary Ellen MacLean, the evening includes a welcome reception at 6pm, dinner at 7pm and a stellar line up of entertainment.  Performers include: Catherine Robertson (The Coast’s recent comedy cover girl), sultry songstress Erin Costello (ECMA nominated), a live painting of the evening by artist Sharon Hodgson (for auction) and dancing until 1am with the dynamic DJ Motlette.

Keep reading to learn more about this year's line up of entertainers...

Host Mary Ellen MacLean

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Mary Ellen MacLean is a performer, creator, director and producer. She was a founding member of the physical theatre ensemble, Jest in Time, with whom she toured worldwide with for twenty years, as well as starring in three national CBC television specials with the company. Her one-woman play Frankie toured across Canada and aired on Bravo! TV. In 2001 Mary Ellen, Christian Murray and Mary-Colin Chisholm formed Frankie Productions a company that creates/produces their own plays as well as others. Her play Velocipede, using twenty-one bicycles, seven dancers/actresses, played to sold out audiences in Halifax in 2006. In Oct/Nov 09 she premiered her one-woman play The Adventures of Donna Earla a co-production with Live Bait and Frankie Productions. TV/film credits include: Wilby Wonderful, Wound-Up, Made in Canada, Liocracy and Shattered City. NS Merritt Theatre Awards: Twenty Years of Theatre Excellence (Jest in Time); Best Production (Trip-Jest); nominations for Best New Play (Frankie), Best Actress (Trip, Frankie). She works at theatres across the country as a performer/director as well as a movement coach/fight director for stage, TV and film. She teaches theatre/movement throughout the year and is thrilled to be hosting this year's Fancy Gay Dress Party!

Comedian Catherine Robertson

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"I just want to make people laugh" - that's been Catherine Robertson's goal, and at this she certainly succeeds, having spent the last few years doing just that. Performing all throughout the Maritimes, Catherine has made appearances at the 2007 PEI Comedy Fest, the 2008 Halifax Comedy Fest, and can be heard on XM Satellite Radio's "Laugh Attack". A regular on the Halifax comedy scene, she performs almost nightly, be it on a stage or with a group of friends. In December 2009, Catherine was featured in The Coast's cover article, "On the Laugh Track". Her ribald storytelling will have you in stitches – you don't want to miss this rising star!

Singer/Songwriter Erin Costelo

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Erin Costelo blends rich, layered piano driven compositions with lyrics as often searing as they are sweet on her first full length album, “Fire & Fuss”. Recorded at CBC's Studio H, “Fire & Fuss” will take its place in a long line of remarkable debut albums from Halifax’s singer-songwriter community. Produced by Karl Falkenham with Executive Producer Glenn Meisner, Costelo has captured the strength and fragility of her distinctively low, smoky voice in moody, unique arrangements that blend barrelhouse blues, boogie woogie and 60s soul with her truthful melody driven ballads to create a sound that is all her own. She has been honored with an East Coast Music Award nomination for Female Recording of the Year as well as two Nova Scotia Music Award nominations for Songwriter of the Year and Female Recording of the Year. http://www.myspace.com/erincostelomusic

Live Painter Sharon Hodgson

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She'll paint the scene during the Fancy Gay Dress Party -- and you'll place the bid! See Sharon's other dynamic live painting work here: http://livepainting.ca/ and her website here:
http://www.sharonhodgson.com

A work of art in the making not to be missed!

DJ Motlette

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DJ Motlette is Halifax’s dynamic DJ who aims to please. Her recipe for success? Infectious enthusiasm, and an arsenal of guilty pleasure dance tunes. From dance parties to cocktail lounges, DJ Motlette knows how to set an atmosphere.

DJ Motlette’s monthly haunt is The Company House, where she hosts her “ever-popular Retro night” with “beats and chutzpah” (The Coast). Other recent special events include the Empire Theatres Closing Night Gala Party (Atlantic Film Festival), Fancy Gay Dress Party (Halifax Pride) and a fashion runway show (Katrina Tuttle Fall Showcase).

DJ Motlette:
http://www.motlette.com

DJ Motlette's Retro at the CoHo on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=355733518205#!/group.php?gid=66968050794&ref=ts